Luke 9:27. How does The Watchtower explain it?

VM44

Luke 9:27 says:

"...But I tell YOU truthfully, There are some of those standing here that will not taste death at all until first they see the kingdom of God."

How does The Watchtower explain this?

designs

The Society connects this statement to the Transfiguration that follows a week later, which is a type of confirmation of him being the Christ.

see Wt. 88'1/ 8

VM44

Hi designs, thank you for finding that.

So The Watchtower thinks that Jesus made the comment that some will still be living to see an event that happened only a week later?

Something is strange here.

designs

VM44

Yep, pretty much. Everyone must have had their OSHA gear on.

blondie

This is what I found. There is a dearth of any discussion of this account in Luke. There may be more of the other accounts in the Gospels. This is old:

BTW that reference seems strange since 1/8 refers to Awake not WT articles. Perhaps you mean 1/1/88 which is basically an article of general information from the Mankind's Greatest Man book.

*** w52 8/1 pp.462-464 The Miracle of theTransfiguration

THE TRANSFIGURATION

What actually happened has been recorded for us at Matthew 17:1-9, Mark 9:1-10 and Luke 9:27-36. Quoting from Mark’s account (NW): "Furthermore he went on to say to them: ‘Truly I say to you, There are some of those standing here that will not taste death at all until first they see the kingdom of God already come in power.’ Accordingly six days later Jesus took Peter and James and John along, and conducted them up into a lofty mountain to themselves alone. And he was transfigured before them, and his outer garments became glistening, far whiter than any clothes-cleaner on earth could whiten them. Also Elijah with Moses appeared to them, and they were conversing with Jesus. And responsively Peter said to Jesus: ‘Rabbi, it is fine for us to be here, so let us erect three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.’ In fact, he did not know what response he should make, for they became quite frightened. And a cloud formed, covering them protectingly, and a voice came out of the cloud: ‘This is my Son, the beloved; listen to him.’ Suddenly, however, they looked around and saw no one with them any longer, except Jesus alone. As they were coming down out of the mountain, he expressly ordered them not to relate to anybody what they saw, until after the Son of man had risen from the dead. And they took the word to heart, but discussed among themselves what this rising from the dead meant."

It is of importance to observe that each writer precedes the event of this remarkable vision with the question of our Lord and consequent discussion with his disciples, "‘Who are men saying that I am?’ They said to him: ‘John the baptist, and others, Elijah, still others, One of the prophets.’ And he put the question to them: ‘You, though, who do you say I am?’ In answer Peter said to him: ‘You are the Christ.’ Also he started teaching them that the Son of man must undergo many sufferings and be rejected by the older men of influence and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and rise three days later." (Mark 8:27-29, 31, NW) Clearly Jesus was here confirming that he was the Christ, that he would die and be resurrected and that they would see the Kingdom in power before tasting death. The disciples were prepared for what was to follow, for Jesus had been so outspoken that there was no mistaking his remarks.

Just what did Jesus say concerning seeing the kingdom of God? The answer will be clear by comparing the brief record made by the three different writers: " . . . not taste death at all until first they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom" (Matt. 16:28, NW); " . . . until first they see the kingdom of God already come in power" (Mark 9:1, NW); " . . . will not taste death at all until first they see the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:27, NW) The obvious meaning is that before they finished their earthly course they must first see the Son of man in his kingdom with power. The Lord Jesus had taken Peter, James and John with him into a lofty mountain to pray, and while praying the appearance of his face became different and his apparel glittered and glistened with unearthly brilliance. He was "transfigured" before them. Then the vision revealed Elijah and Moses conversing with him, they also appearing "with glory". Evidently at this time the three apostles were weighed down with sleep, and as they became fully awake they heard a conversation going on. What kind of discussion could it possibly be? Luke is the only writer who informs us: "These appeared with glory and began talking about his departure that he was destined to fulfill at Jerusalem."—Luke 9:31, NW.

It was impetuous Peter who then burst out with the suggestion that it would be good to set up three tents on that lofty mountain, one each for the Lord, for Moses and for Elijah. While yet he was speaking a cloud formed and began to cover the trio and "a voice out of the cloud, saying: ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, whom I have approved; listen to him.’ At hearing this the disciples fell upon their faces and became very much afraid. Then Jesus came near and, touching them, said: ‘Get up and have no fear.’ When they raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus himself only. And as they were descending from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, ‘Tell the vision to no one until the Son of man is raised up from the dead.’" (Matt. 17:5-9, NW) This vision had surely made a great impression on Peter’s mind, for thirty-one years later he wrote about it as he sought to bring home to the minds of his brothers that he had not been ‘artfully contriving false stories’ but had preached to them the truth.

Further considering the matter Peter uses this vision of the transfiguration with regard to the "power and presence" of the Lord Jesus Christ, himself having been an eyewitness to its magnificence. It was very evident that what the apostles saw conveyed to their minds factual proof of his power and presence. Peter clearly shows that the transfiguration was to him the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise that some of his disciples would not taste death until they had first seen the Son of man in his kingly power. By this vision they had witnessed the presence and power of Jesus Christ in Kingdom glory, and coupled with this were the words borne to Jesus by the magnificent glory, ‘This is my Son, my beloved, on whom I have set my approval.’ The apostles saw the brilliance, the magnificence, and actually heard Jehovah’s voice from heaven acknowledging Jesus as the beloved Son of God, thus identifying him as the approved one and commanding them to "listen to him".

The three disciples were overawed with the majesty of this glorious spectacle. Would not any child of Jehovah be the same today if he had the great honor and privilege of seeing such a marvelous sight? Then, in addition, to actually hear the voice of Jehovah from heaven! What would any of us do? Without doubt exactly the same, fall upon our faces in fear. Because we have not experienced such a wondrous sight it is extremely hard for us to comprehend all that is involved, though we do know these three men were in fear, clearly indicating the power, conviction and realization of the presence of Jehovah’s word. It would never be forgotten by them. Today we do not expect to climb a literal high mountain and see such a vision. Yet we shall realize, as we consider that transfiguration scene, that God’s children on earth today have a vision far grander in every way. If we get God’s mind on these truths they will have the same effect on us, causing us today to fear in the presence of God’s voice, and bringing home to us our littleness, our complete unworthiness of Jehovah’s kindness and mercy.

designs

Thanks Blondie, it should read Wt 1988 1/1 p. 8

Does it sound like they are connecting Jesus statement of living to see the kingdom to the Transfiguration and then to the resurrection.

(Judas excluded).

blondie

*** w91 9/15 pp. 20-21 How Christ’s Transfiguration Affects You ***Jesus went on to make this promise: "There are some of those standing here that will not taste death at all until first they see the kingdom of God already come in power." (Mark 9:1; Matthew 16:28) This promise was fulfilled "six days later," when Jesus was praying and was transfigured before Peter, James, and John. Luke says this occurred "eight days" thereafter, apparently because he included the day of the promise and that of the fulfillment.—Matthew 17:1, 2; Mark 9:2; Luke 9:28.

*** w06 8/15 p. 14 "Let Us Compare Scripture With Scripture" ***However, the context of this verse, as well as that of the parallel accounts by Mark and Luke, helps us understand the real meaning of the scripture. What did Matthew relate right after the words quoted above? He wrote: "Six days later Jesus took Peter and James and John his brother along and brought them up into a lofty mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them." (Matthew 17:1, 2) Both Mark and Luke also linked Jesus’ comment about the Kingdom with the account of the transfiguration. (Mark 9:1-8; Luke 9:27-36) Jesus’ coming in Kingdom power was demonstrated in his transfiguration, his appearing in glory in the presence of the three apostles. Peter verifies this understanding by speaking of "the power and presence of our Lord Jesus Christ" with regard to his witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration.—2 Peter 1:16-18.

Luke 9:27. How does The Watchtower explain it?

VM44

designs

VM44

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blondie

designs

blondie

moomanchu

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